When you or someone you love is struggling with stress, anxiety, or unhealthy habits, it can feel overwhelming to figure out where to turn.
You may have come across the term behavioral health specialist, but what exactly do they do?
In this article, we’ll break down their role, services, and how they can make a difference in your life or the life of someone you care about.
A behavioral health specialist helps you manage emotions, behaviors, and relationships to improve your well-being.
Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, or other challenges, they provide the support and guidance you need to make positive changes.
You can find behavioral health specialists working with people of all ages in hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, and private practices. They provide behavioral health services to support individuals, couples, families, and groups, helping you build healthier coping skills, improve communication, and navigate life’s challenges.
Using evidence-based techniques and therapeutic approaches, they focus on what works best for your situation.
They aim to help you feel more in control, develop better habits, and find the right path toward healing and personal growth.
A behavioral health specialist’s responsibilities may vary based on their expertise and where they work, but here’s how they can support you:
1. Assessing Your Needs – They evaluate your mental health through conversations, questionnaires, and assessments to understand your symptoms, history, and challenges. This helps determine the best course of treatment for you.
2. Creating a Treatment Plan – Based on your assessment, they develop a personalized plan that may include therapy, medication management, or other strategies to help you reach your goals.
3. Providing Therapy – Through one-on-one, family, or group sessions, they use proven therapeutic approaches—such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy—to help you work through challenges and build healthier habits.
4. Tracking Your Progress – They regularly check in on how you're doing and adjust your treatment plan as needed. They may also collaborate with psychiatrists, social workers, or other professionals to ensure you receive well-rounded care.
5. Educating and Empowering You – Part of their role is to teach you about mental health, provide coping strategies, and connect you with resources, such as support groups, to help you maintain long-term well-being.
Choosing a behavioral health specialist is a personal decision, and it’s important to find someone qualified, experienced, and a good fit for your needs.
Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice:
1. Check Their Qualifications – Look for professionals with a graduate degree in psychology, counseling, or social work who are licensed to practice in your state.
2. Look at Their Expertise – Different specialists focus on different areas, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or substance use. Consider what you need help with
and find someone with experience with those concerns.
3. Go with Your Gut – Therapy works best when you trust your provider, so choose someone who makes you feel heard and supported.
If someone you care about is struggling with behavioral or mental health concerns, you don't have to face it alone or travel outside of the Langdon area. LPH offers appointments and referrals through our telehealth services. Megan Overby, DNP, FNP-C, is also available on-site to assess and prescribe for children who suffer a variety of mental/behavioral disorders. At Langdon Prairie Health, our team is here to listen, assess your needs and create a treatment plan that fits your situation through our convenient telehealth services. Schedule an appointment with one of our providers today to get the support and care you deserve.
